first-foot

American  

[furst-foot] / ˈfɜrstˈfʊt /

noun

1. the first person to cross the threshold of a house on New Year's Day.

2. the first person met after starting out on the day of an important occasion.

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verb (used with object)

1. to enter (a house) first on New Year's Day.

verb (used without object)

1. to be the first to enter a house on New Year's Day.

first-foot British  

noun

1. the first person to enter a household in the New Year. By Hogmanay tradition a dark-haired man who crosses the threshold at midnight brings good luck

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verb

1. to enter (a house) as first-foot

Other Word Forms

• first-footing
  noun

Etymology

Origin of first-foot

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

first-foot

The destiny of the members of a family is greatly affected for a whole year, if not for life, by the "first-foot" on New Year's and Christmas mornings.

From The Mysteries of All Nations Rise and Progress of Superstition, Laws Against and Trials of Witches, Ancient and Modern Delusions Together With Strange Customs, Fables, and Tales by Grant, James, archaeologist

She was, indeed, the loveliest first-foot that had ever crossed the threshold of Mrs Rogers.

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 10 by Various

"I wonder wha will be our first-foot," said Nelly; "I hope it will be a lucky ane."

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 10 by Various

Does the question of first-foot rest upon the colour of the hair or upon the sex of the person?

From Folklore as an Historical Science by Gomme, George Laurence

Nelly was no friend to spirit-drinking; nevertheless she was glad that her first-foot, though he did squint, had not come empty-handed.

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 10 by Various